• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.428-435
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• 2019

The rapid increase and dissemination of carbapene mases, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), has become a major problem within the field of healthcare-related infection. There are few antibiotics to treat carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections, so the identification of resistant bacterial mechanisms is critical to initiate infection control and conduct epidemiological research. A rapid and effective method for detecting KPC-producing bacteria is needed to avoid therapeutic failures and introduce measures to prevent and control the dissemination of these multi-resistant bacteria. During the study period, 31 isolates (seven isolates of Acinetobacter spp., six isolates of Morganella morganii, five isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, five isolates of Proteus mirabilis, one isolate of Proteus vulgaris, two isolates of Enterobacter cloacae, one isolate of Enterobacter aerogenes, one isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae, one isolate of Klebsiella oxytoca, one isolate of Serratia marcescens and one isolate of Escherichia coli) were identified by the VITEK. Gram negative rod bacteria were the most frequently isolated from urine (35.5%), blood (19.4%), sputum (16.1%), pus (9.7%), ascitic fluid (9.7%), tracheal aspirates (6.5%) and bile juice (3.2%). Analysis using the PCR method identified the bla_KPC gene in the K. oxytoca1 strain, but the bla_IMP, bla_VIM and bla_OXA-48 genes are not amplified. In conclusion, diagnosis using the PCR method can accurately and quickly diagnose KPC, thus establishing quick preventive measures to prevent the spread of KPC in hospitals.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.303-313
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• 1989

To investigate the epidemiological trait of intestinal diseases of animals caused by thermophilic Campyllobacter spp., isolation of etiological agent was carried out and the profiles of plasmids and the transfer of resistance plasmid in the isolated Campylobacter spp. were examined. The results were as follows. 1. A total of 110 isolates of C jejuni and C coli were subjected to the test for the presence of plasmid DNA. Of the isolates examined, 60% of the isolates were noted to harbor plasmid DNA. Plasmid occurrencer ate from pigs, chickens and cattle were 76.2%, 61.7% and 37.7%, respectively. The plasmids of a large molecular weight, ranging from 36 Md to 86Md, were identified with the strains of tetracycline resistant. 2. Transfer frequency of tetracycline resistant plasmids was higher in the case of the filter mating method than in the broth mating method by the factor of 10~1,000. 3. Tetracycline resistant plasmids of C jejuni were transferrable to C jejuni and C coli by conjugation. In a low frequency, the transfer of tetracycline plasmid was also possible to Vibrio parahemolyticus. However, it was impossible to transfer to Streptococcus fecalis, E coli and Vibrio cholerae. 4. Tetracycline resistant plasmids of C jejuni were impossible to transfer to Campylobacter spp. and related bacteria by transformation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.660-666
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• 2005

The intestinal microbiota are important to the host with regard to resistance they impart against bacterial infections and their involvement in mediating metabolic functions. Lactic acid producing bacteria such as Lactobacillus play an important physiological role in these matters. The aim of the present study was to isolate Lactobacillus sp. that inhibits enteric pathogens. Initially, 17 isolates from healthy Koreans were collected on Lactobacillus selective medium. Resistance of the isolates to antibiotics including rifampicin, streptomycin, clindamycin and vancomycin was measured. One of the isolate was identified as Lactobacillus ruminus on the basis of bacterial cell morphology, cultural characteristic and biochemical characteristics, 16S rRNA sequence analysis and PCR-RAPD. Antimicrobial activity of the bacterium against Vancomycin Intermediate Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) was measured. About $10^4$ cells of VISA or VRE were mixed with 1, 5, and 9 mL of L. ruminus SPM 0211 and the final volume was adjusted to 10 mL with brain heart infusion (BHI) broth. The cell suspension was incubated for 3, 6, 9, and 24 h, serially diluted and then plated on BHI agar plates. As numbers of L. ruminus SPM 0211 were increased, viable cell count of VISA and VRE decreased. The strongest antimicrobial activity of SPM 0211 was observed after 9 h incubation in any mixture, almost completely inhibiting the growth of these two bacteria. The results suggest that the freshly isolated L. ruminus SPM 0211 may be used as a pro-biotic microbe that prevents the colonization of enteric pathogens and can thereby promote good gastrointestinal health.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.117-127
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to examine the fate of tetracycline resistant bacteria (TRB) and tetracycline resistant genes (TRG) according to the spatial and operational wastewater treatment factors. As part of the effort, TRB and TRG of water samples at each unit processes of three different wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were analyzed over seven month study periods. With the data about different spatial and operating conditions of these WWTPs, TRB and TRGs, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to find out any general correlation trend. Based on the statistic analysis results, the extent of TRB concentration in the activated sludge (TRBAS) is much related to the TRB concentration in primary clarifier effluent (TRBPE). Also, the study results indicated that the fate of TRB and TRG are significantly affected by the SRT variations.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.276-282
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• 1995

Compared to the first and second-generation cephalosporins, the third-generation cephalosporins are remarkably stable against hydrolysis by the $\beta$-lactamases produced by aerobic gram-negative bacilli, such as Enterobacteriaceae. Among these bacteria, the most prevalent plasmid-encoded $\beta$-lactamase is TEM-1 $\beta$-lactamase belonging to class A or group 2b. This enzyme is produced constitutively and is principally active against peniciflins and old cephalosporins rather than third-generafion cephalosporins, carbapenems and mmobactams. However, new TEM type $\beta$-lactamases including TEM-9 and TEM-12 evolved through point mutations in a gene encoding $\beta$-lactamase have been discovered from patients during chemotherapy. These $\beta$-lactamases are known to be capable of hydrolyzing most of the third-generatim cephalosporins. To study the prevalence of $\beta$-lactamases from clinical isolates collected in Korea. the minimal inhibitory concentratims(MICs) of several third-generation cephalosporins against 628 clinical isolates were determined by agar dilution methods, and $\beta$-lactamas-producing bacteria were isolated by use of cefinase disc. By polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, clinical isolates harboring a gene for TEM type $\beta$-lactamase were identified among the $\beta$-lactamase producing strains. Twentiy three percent of the clinical isolates was resistant to the thirdgeneration cephalosporins, and more than 90% of resistant cells produced various $\beta$-lactamases. TFM type $\beta$-lactamases were dominant in gram-negative bacilli, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter species. These results suggest the necessity of the development of new cephalosporins which are stable against $\beta$-lactamases like TEM.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.402-408
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• 1997

The antibiotic-producing strain HW-003 was screened from soil and found to be effective against the multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The spore chain of HW-003 was retinaculiaperti, and the spore surface was spiny. Strain HW-003 has a LL-diaminopimelic acid isoform in the cell wall. The aerial mass color of the strain was gray, and the reverse side was yellow-brown. The strain produced melanin, but did not produce soluble pigments. According to the Taxon program, HW-003 showed best match with Streptomyces cyaneus. Antibiotic production reached a maximum after 72-h cultivation. The antibiotic was purified with silica gel column chromatography, octadecylsilyl column chromatography, and HPLC. The purified antibiotic, AMRSA1, showed strong inhibitory activity against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and gram-positive bacteria. The molecular weight of AMRSA1 was about 1, 100. AMRSA1 was a peptide antibiotic containing alanine and serine.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1233-1237
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• 2005

Catechin products in green tea extract was prepared to investigate antibacterial activity on the pathogenic bacteria. Survival of pathogenic bacteria (MASA - methicillin resistant Staphylocouus aureus, E.coli O157 and S. typhimurium Sal-13) in tryptic soy agar(TSA) containing Catechin products powder incubated at various concentration was evaluated. TSA containing $0{\sim}2%(w/v)$ of Catechin products was inoculated approximately $10^4\;CFU/ml$ of pathogenic bacteria and incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours. The plate counting technique and clear zoon test were used to test survival effect of the Catechin products. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was derived from the survival curves of pathogenic bacteria. S. typhimurium Sal-13 was the most sensitive strain to Catechin products. This result suggested that Catechin products can be used as an effective natural antibacterial agent.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

Canine otitis externa is a common disorder in small animal practice with prevalence up to 20%. In a large percentage of cases, canine otitis externa is a chronic and recurrent disease also associated with drug-resistant bacteria that is difficult to treat with traditional antibiotics. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new strategy to exterminate pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy against canine otitis externa using three photosensitizer (PS); 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and Methyl aminolevulinic acid (MAL) with semiconductor laser diode (SLD, 635nm of wave length), Chlorophyll-lipoid complex (CLC) with light-emitting diode (LED, 660nm of wave length). After PDT, dogs showed improved Otitis Index Score (OTIS) in swelling, exudate, odor, and pain. A result of the cytology test revealed decrease of bacteria and malassezia count in the oil immersion field and colony forming units count. PDT was effective as a bacteriocide of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) and a fungicide of Malassezia pachydermatis. MAL and 5-ALA were more effective PS against canine otitis externa than CLC. These results suggest that PDT is a new strategy to exterminate pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. PDT can be considered as a new therapeutic approach for canine recurrent otitis externa and a countermeasure to drug resistance that is a disadvantage of traditional antibiotic and antifungal therapy.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Biological iron redox transformation alters iron minerals, which may act as effective adsorbents for arsenate [As(V)] in the environments. In the viewpoint of alleviating arsenate, microbial Fe(III) reduction was sought under high concentration of As(V). In this study, Fe(III)-reducing bacteria were isolated from the wild plant rhizosphere soils collected at abandoned mine areas, which showed tolerance to high concentration of As(V), in pursuit of potential agents for As(V) bioremediation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacterial isolation was performed by a series of enrichment, transfer, and dilutions. Among the isolated strains, two strains (JSAR-1 and JSAR-3) with abilities of tolerance to 10 mM As(V) and Fe(III) reduction were selected. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA genesequences indicated the closest members of Pseudomonas stutzeri DSM 5190 and Paenibacillus selenii W126, respectively for JSAR-1 and JSAR-3. Ferric and ferrous iron concentrations were measured by ferrozine assay, and arsenic concentration was analyzed by ICP-AES, suggesting inability of As(V) reduction whereas ability of Fe(III) reduction. CONCLUSION: Fe(III)-reducing bacteria isolated from the enrichments with arsenate and ferric iron were found to be resistant to a high concentration of As(III) at 10 mM. We suppose that those kinds of microorganisms may suggest good application potentials for As(V) bioremediation, since the bacteria can transform Fe while surviving under As-contaminated environments. The isolated Fe(III)-reducing bacterial strains could contribute to transformations of iron minerals which may act as effective adsorbents for arsenate, and therefore contribute to As(V) immobilization

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2024

Background: Honey bees play a crucial role in pollination and ecological balance. Apis mellifera L. colonies, especially those located in specific geographic regions, such as the palm garden in Eastern Thailand, are susceptible to potential threats from microbial contaminants. Understanding and detecting microbial organisms in these beehives is essential for the preservation of bee health, honey production, and the broader ecosystem. However, the problem of microbial infection and antibiotic-resistant bacteria is more severe and continuously increasing, resulting in a health, economic, and social crisis. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of microorganisms in A. mellifera beehives in palm gardens in Rayong province, Eastern Thailand. Results: Ten swabs in transport media were swabbed and obtained from different parts of each beehive (1 swab per beehive), for a total of 10 hives. Traditional microbial culture-based methods, biochemical tests, and antimicrobial susceptibility (disc-diffusion) tests were used to detect microbial organisms and antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The swab tests from nine beehives resulted in the detection of Gram-positive bacteria (63.64%), Gram-negative bacteria (27.27%), and fungi/yeast (9.09%). These microorganisms are classified as a group of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. and made up 40.91% of the bacteria discovered. Other bacteria found were Coryneform bacteria (13.64%), Pantoea spp. (13.64%), Bacillus spp. (9.09%), yeast (9.09%), glucose non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli (9.09%), and Pseudomonas spp. (4.55%). However, due to the traditional culture-based and 0biochemical tests usually used to identify the microbial organisms in clinical specimens and the limitation of identifying some environmental microbial species, the results of the antimicrobial susceptibility test cannot reveal if the organism is resistant or susceptible to the drug. Nevertheless, drug-sensitive inhibition zones were formed with each antibiotic agent. Conclusions: Overall, the study supports prevention, healthcare, and public health systems. The contamination of microorganisms in the beehives may affect the quality of honey and other bee products or even the health of the beekeeper. To avoid this kind of contamination, it is therefore necessary to wear personal protective equipment while harvesting honey and other bee products.